ICAAP11 in Bangkok

Nearly 4000 delegates from more than 80 countries gathered in Bangkok, Thailand, for the 11th International Congress on AIDS in Asia and the Pacific (ICAAP11). The Congress opened officially on 19 November 2013. Building on UNAIDS vision of zero new HIV infections, zero discrimination and zero AIDS-related deaths, the theme for this year’s ICAAP is Triple Zero – Investing in Innovation.

The 11th International Congress on AIDS in Asia and the Pacific (ICAAP11) took place in Bangkok, Thailand from 18-22 November. The Congress welcomed nearly 4000 participants from 80 countries across the region, including hundreds of volunteers who helped ensure the smooth-running of the event.

Addressing delegates at the opening ceremony, UNAIDS Deputy Executive Director Beagle spoke about the important linkages between HIV and other development goals. “Experience has shown that AIDS is an entry point to advance broader issues of human rights, redistribution of opportunity and social justice for all. The AIDS response is a pathfinder for transformative development” said Ms Beagle.

A lively and colourful parade led by people living with HIV and key communities affected by HIV took to the Bangkok streets following the opening ceremony.

On the opening day of the Congress, UNAIDS released its 2013 report on HIV in Asia and the Pacific. “The pace of progress needs to be redoubled to sustain past achievements, drive results and meet global AIDS targets,” said UNAIDS Director of the Regional Support Team for Asia and the Pacific, Steven Kraus. “Efforts should be more focused on smart investments in the right places and on programmes to reach the people in greatest need. Communities of people living with HIV and key populations at higher risk must continue to be central to the region’s AIDS response-as agents of change” he said. Credit: UNAIDS/W.Tri-yasakda

During the Congress, President Ratu Epeli Nailatikau of Fiji took part in many high-level panels and sessions, underlining the importance of continued leadership to accelerate progress in Asia and the Pacific. “We need to continuously review and renew our efforts and our commitments as leaders and partners on our response to HIV-especially to our commitments in achieving and sustaining access to antiretroviral treatment-the gains in our response to HIV are still fragile” he said. Credit: UNAIDS/W.Tri-yasakda

Throughout the Congress, voices of key communities were elevated. The 2013 event saw the largest and most vocal participation of transgender people. Here, well-known transgender rights activist, Laxmi Narayan Tripathi, is pictured during an intervention in one of the plenaries. Credit: UNAIDS/W.Tri-yasakda

UN Special Envoy on AIDS for Asia and the Pacific, Prasada Rao, spoke at a number of key sessions at the Congress. He underlined the importance of ensuring gains made in the HIV response over the last decades are built upon. “HIV needs to stay on the post-2015 development agenda. We have made incredible strides but we must do more. ‘Getting to Zero’ is more than a slogan and we must make it a reality” he said. Credit: UNAIDS/V.Dithajohn

During the Congress, a broad group of partners including UNAIDS, World Health Organization, the Asia Pacific Coalition on Male Sexual Health (APCOM) and others, launched a joint statement urging the a rapid increase of voluntary confidential community-based HIV testing and counseling for key populations at higher risk in the region-including men who have sex with men, transgender people, sex workers and people who use drugs. Here, APCOM Coordinator, Midnight Poonkasetwattana presented the joint statement to delegates at the closing ceremony.

At the close of the Congress on Friday 22 November, hosts of the 2013 event Thailand handed over the ICAAP baton to the hosts of the 12th Congress in 2015&mdash;Bangladesh. Here, Chair of the ICAAP11 local organizing committee, Wilas Lohitkul (left) shakes hands with NM Samuel from the AIDS Society of Asia and the Pacific (middle-ICAAP Convenor) and MM Neazuddin, Secretary, Ministry of Health & Family Welfare, Bangladesh and co-Chair, ICAAP12. Credit: UNAIDS / V.Dithajohn

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UNAIDS Asia-Pacific

The Regional Support Team provides timely and effective support to UNAIDS Country Offices in Asia and the Pacific, while working with regional partners to coordinate and provide programming and technical support to strengthen national responses.